Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-02-12
wooDxAvvN FARMERS. CLUE.
Reportcd for the Alexandria GAzETTE.)


reported for the Alexandria GAzETTE.)
The February meeting of the Woodlawn
Farmers Club was held 1t John BalliDger's
on the 9Th inst, President Pierson in The
chair. When the minutes Of last meeting
were read a member thought the portion in
reference TO our condemnation Of the pro-
posed appropriation By the State Legisa-
ture for agricultural societies was not strong
enough but it was suggested as the matter
would-be acted on at the coming convention
in Alexandria, good chance would be
had for further denunciaticns on the subject.
c. IIukens read an article from the New
York Tribune in which the writer thought
ney7 agricultural dictionary was needed to
define the true meaning Of some of the mod
ern isms ana nostrums that arc confronting
the farmers.
a report from the committee in reference
to holding farmers convention was re
ceived. stating arrangements had been made
TO bold one al Lannon's Opera House, Alex
andria VS., on the Str of February at ten
a. u. X number Of prominent farmers in
different sections had boen selected TO pre-
pare essays Oh various subjects connected
with farming, fol. presentation at The meet
ing, the said subjects having been an.
nounced in the Fairfax and Alexandria pa
pers The report was approved and the
committee continued 10 carry out
the programme, which included ar
raugemenls for Refreshments. Charles
Gibbs, having been elected mem
Der at this meeting, was appointed master
of cerelnouies-or whatever title may attach
to the position-with power to select assist
ants. 4. w. Harrison and j. \. Gibbs were
h. I oIi
keepers Association with an invitation for
their co operation in this matter TO the end
that they would, in addition 10 grazing the
occasion with their presence. assist in pro
viding refreshments The invitation Was
accented. The president read letters from
H. 9. HalloTel aud r. B. Farquhar in re
spouse to invitations to DO present al the
convention. They regretted other arrange
ments would prevent their coming, bat they
would be with Us in sympathy.
The query was raised whether corn smnt
was so Ter Injurious TO stock as 10 cause
death Also, whether bots ever killed
horses In both cases diversity ofopinion
existed
The critical report was read, in which lie
committee admitted their irnbli;y TO hnd
anything to critcse, as our host VAS pro
verbal for the method aud neatness Of all
his operations The stock ou this model
farm consisted of six horses, eighteen head
of cattle, fifty sheep, and = pen of fine
pigs in good condition. There was
good supply of farming implements
wiihou. q superabundaoce of old discarded
tools-all well housed sDdin good order for
immediate use. With the exception OF
large churn aud horse power-weli housed
and some improvement at the barn in The
way OF hay hosting machinery, there had
been but little change about the place since
last meeting here, simply because j! Was
not necessary. They noticed his place was
perfectly fenced, and asked him if it paid.
la reply he said as his place was already
we'll fenced he would prefer to keep them
up: but if hg had new place thought prob
ably it would be best to adopt the soiling
svstem in good part. II he had to buy ienc-
ing wonld use wire: ae showed sample
of wire called "Buckthorp,'' y made at Tren-
ton. n. j., with snort barhs, which was
broad and twisted so ns 10 DE readily seen
by the stock. He thought 1t was the best
he had seen. Several members thought the
bast way TO l.eep stock off wire fence was
TO nut it on 3 good bank which would suf.
fee for one wire. A number approved OF
permanent pasture, keeping the stock oil
the rest of the ign0.
Query-In fattenin2 animals which IS the
uost profitable full feeding from the start
or moderate feeding aud longer time tc ac-
complish results?
After some diversity OF opinion had been
expressed Major HiDe stated in feeding he
endeavored 10 first ascertain the capacity OF
the animal for digesting food, and then gave
it a!l it could digest whicn accorded with
most of the views expressed and conceded
with those of I. d. Curtis, of New York,
one OF The most experienced stock feeders
of this country. Major Hine stated further
that after hearing an article read st the
club two months ago. wherein it was recon-
mended TO feed whole wheat 10 sheep, he
had tried It aud was much pleased with the
result.
G. Lukens's plan Was 10 feed all he could
induce them to eat FIVE times day.
Since last meeting this club has lost by
death another of its honored Inembers-the
late Benjamin BArton-who was always in
terested in our meetings and attended regu.
larly when health. permitted. He was TOO
we'll known to need any special eulogy from
US and has been gathered home like a shock
OF corn fully ripe.
The club then adjourned to meet at v.
Bakers on March 5th. Critical committee,
D. z. Smith, Isaac Snowden and Charles
Gibbs. w. GILLINGHAM, Sec'y.
Another Life Saved.
.ko,,4 t,,,o x-aor- aoo q nror,inant citizen